Advocates in Regina are doing their part to support this year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, raising more than $300,000. On Sunday, over 1,100 people participated in the one-km or five-km walk or run at Wascana Centre. This year marked the run’s 35th anniversary and 30 years with CIBC as a title sponsor. “The importance for being here today is that it shows people that you’re not alone, and it shows that you never know who is going to be affected by cancer,” said Kristy Farn with supporter engagement for Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Volunteers in Regina raised $301,645 for the national campaign - $20,000 more than last year’s fundraising goal. Farn said it would not me possible without every student, person and business involved. “This community comes together. We’re small but mighty, and we at CCS couldn’t be prouder for the amazing work that Regina has done year after year,” she said. In July, the Government of Saskatchewan lowered the age for women to receive mammograms to 40 and older. Along with raising money for breast cancer research, Farn said the run also aims to spread awareness and encourage woman, and men, to get breast cancer screenings as soon as possible. “We had a ‘hope speaker’ today who had an issue getting her mammogram appointment because under the terms of past health care, she was the lower age than what she should have been,” Farn explained. “With this advocacy help we’ve been able to, with governments, get that age lowered to 40 years of age, which is going to honestly help save so many lives.” Women 40 and older can book a mammography appointment by contacting the province’s screening programs, which can be found on the Sask. Cancer Agency’s website. There are a total of eight screening centres across the province. They include Regina, Saskatoon, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current and Yorkton. Additionally, a mobile mammography bus travels throughout rural and northern Saskatchewan.
